Highlights: Champagne Drappier Clarevallis
This is such an interesting wine, which I recently revisited after trying two years earlier. Clarevallis is the name given by Saint Bernard to
the abbey he founded here in 1152 – he was the one who brought the Morillon Noir grape variety (Pinot Noir) to plant in these Kimmeridgean soils in the south of the Champagne region. It replaced the varieties the Romans had planted, and a few decades later spread northwards to the Vallee de la Marne. Here it made a still Pinot Noir that gained fame, and Drappier are loyal to this variety.
Champagne Drappier Clarevallis Extra Brut NV France
12% alcohol. This is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay and 5% Blanc Vrai (Pinot Blanc). It’s organically farmed. 90% is from the base vintage (not disclosed on the bottle) and 10% is reserve wines; all vinification is in stainless steel. 4 g/litre dosage, and low sulfites (total is 20 mg/ml). It’s showing lovely weight with pear, citrus and green apple fruit. Shows lovely depth and texture with cherry and apple on the finish. Such a delicious, broadly flavoured Champagne. 93/100
